Book 2, Chapter 12 Summary

En route to his extraordinary proposal to Ms. Manette, the self-confident Stryver decides to drop by Mr. Lorry' s at Tellson's. When he explains his magnificent intentions to Lorry, he is struck by Lorry's inexplicable objection to the own idea. Stryver is absolutely floored by Lorry's disapproval. Lorry even takes it upon himself to visit Soho and to report that he has decided that his original objection was certainly right. Stryver takes it quite well and dismisses Lorry perfunctorily during an evening. The end shot is that Lucie is safe.

Book 2, Chapter 12 Analysis

Lorry thinks this union would be a complete mismatch. Readers might agree because if it were to have happened it would have ruined the structure of the novel itself, which hinges on Lucie's marriage to Charles. Perhaps Stryver's ambitions are not so much from deeply felt love but...